How to Prepare for Navigating Disney World With Kids

Cinderella Castle

Kurt Ela

This spring break, we made the family decision to visit Walt Disney World in Florida. Our kids were excited and could barely contain themselves in the lead-up to the trip. My wife and I were equally excited but also felt considerable pressure to do Disney “right.” In this blog post, I look at our trip through the eyes of both a psychologist and a dad. I learned many things that I want to pass on to you, so that your family may experience the joy of a Disney trip without the overwhelming stress that can often accompany it. The preparation for the trip sets the stage for either an organized experience or a frantic mess. Here are some ideas that worked for our family:

• Be honest about the cost. We told our children about the financial realities of a trip to Disney. We took a team approach and expected that our children earn the price of their admission tickets. With such a compelling reward in sight, the kids gladly did age-appropriate chores to earn their passes. This way, they felt a part of the process and experienced pride at contributing to the family trip.
• Set realistic expectations for the kids. Being spring break, we knew the parks were going to be crowded. We asked the kids to rank the rides and experiences they would most like to do. We made it very clear that we would not be able to accomplish everything in the park. This helped stave off disappointment as the wait times rose throughout the day. Instead, we prioritized the favorites while anything beyond that was icing on the cake.
• Set realistic expectations for yourself. If you recall Disney as a magical carefree, happiest-place-in-the-world experience, be prepared for something else. The Disney that you visited as a child, sadly, no longer exists. Due to the crowds, cost, and overall growth of the parks, it will feel decidedly more commercial and less forgiving for the unprepared. The visit will still be special, and the kids will love it, but you may find yourself longing for the simpler days of yore.
• Stay rested to take advantage of early offerings. This sounds like a contradiction and is in many ways. Mornings came extremely early as the parks often opened between 7:30 and 8:30 for what used to be called Magic Hours. They are now listed as Early Entry or “rope drop,” in the vernacular. Whatever they are called, you will want to take advantage of them since it is the least crowded the park will be throughout the day. (These extra hours may be contingent on staying at a Disney hotel.)
• Don’t try to wing it. The new system, with virtual queues and Lightning Lanes, is complicated. We asked for help from a Florida resident who goes to Disney often. He walked us through scenarios and was even kind enough to lay out a rough itinerary for us. Without him, we likely would have lost out on many desired experiences. Even with his help, it remained confusing, so be sure to watch YouTube videos and read about the process on Disney’s website. As our kids joked, being prepared is the difference between “a wonderful family experience and crying on a curb for missing out.” Dramatic, yes, but not too far from the truth.
• Don’t lose sight of the primary goal: time with family. Even waiting in long lines can be special if you view it as a time to be together. I recommend playing guessing games in line. I even brought a chapter book to read to the kids. In a previous post, I wrote of the benefits of being bored for children. Well, here is the test, as you wait in an hour-long (or more) line. Talk about anything and everything as you wait, and consider letting the children come up with ways to help pass the time.
• Have fun. Despite all the planning and expense, Disney World can still be a magical place. Be open to the experience by getting excited about the theming of the park, the characters you will see, and the clever decorating touches of the Imagineers’ designs. Take time to appreciate all that the parks have to offer, even if it means fewer rides that day. You’ve got this.